Using the same script as from the last workshop, we practiced shooting in a location instead of in a studio to get more of a feel of what it is like to film there.
In order to plan out how I was going to direct the script, I first wrote out my interpretation of what the characters seem like and what their relationship to each other and the audience could be.
From this, I then planned out some rough storyboards for the beginning of the sequence as this seemed like the most complicated part as it contained the most action.
For the rest of the script I then wrote out my ideas for shots, and created a shot list based on these rough outlines.
This then enabled me to begin shooting, from which I made the following film:
The most challenging part about making this film was that I was the director, camera, and sound person all at the same time. This was difficult because I was not as focused on the picture as I could have been, but instead was more focused on moving the camera at the correct times meaning I was less sure of the movements I was making. This could have been improved with more planning, especially storyboarding and drawing up overhead diagrams, as for example, I wanted to get a shot from knee level of the bag, and then have the character peering down at it appear in the frame. However, I couldn't figure out how to do this, and later realised it was because I didn't position the tripod low enough to get that type of angle.
The other thing I would improve is the fluidity of the piece, as I wanted it to not be too static. However, the zooming created continuity problems when I came to edit later, and also made the frames less distinct. I could replace the zooming with a close-up of the character's fingers, and then a mid-shot of her or a shot of the chair moving instead which would reduce the continuity problem and also make the shot look cleaner. I would also make the character who goes to leave seem more like they have somewhere to go by making them walk and turn, or grab their bag.
What I did like about how this film turned out was the mysterious tone that the music created which helped with my interpretation of the character rummaging through the bag being some kind of detective or spy. I also liked how the high angle shot turned out as it amplified the other character's power like I wanted it to, although I would have liked to add a low angle shot of the character staring down to balance with the high angle, and so the audience must look up at them to further emphasise this power. The shot that pans between the two characters also turned out well, although it emphasises the distance between the characters a bit too much, but I like how it draws the character who sits down into the conversation. I enjoyed experimenting starting close-up instead of wide, as it showed the character's habit, and enabled me to slowly reveal one of the characters from their feet.
By making a second cut, I was able to establish more of a rhythm to the editing of the piece, and also emphasise the high angle shot by adding a close-up of the other character, although it would have been better if this close-up had been more of a low angle shot. What I thought turned out better in this cut was the shot-reverse shots, although I still had some problems with the zooming. However, the conversation is more evenly balanced for the characters, and I feel that it further establishes what I wanted to aim for, which was one character was a spy investigating the other. I also liked how the panning shots fitted in during the dialogue, although I would have liked to get a still close-up that is not from the side of the character who says she grew up in Suburbia when she reveals this.
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